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Murphy Supports, House Passes Legislation to Prevent Cash Payments to Iran, Ensure Accountability

9/23/16

 
 

Murphy Supports, House Passes Legislation to Prevent Cash Payments to Iran, Ensure Accountability

For Immediate Release: September 23, 2016
Contact: Carly Atchison 202.225.2301

Washington D.C. – This week, Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) supported, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, two bills to hold Iran accountable and protect U.S. national security interests. The Prohibiting Future Ransom Payment to Iran Act(H.R. 5931) prohibits the U.S. from making any cash payments to Iran until the President certifies Iran is not a state sponsor of terrorism. The Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act(H.R. 5461) requires the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department to submit to Congress a detailed report of Iran’s top military and military leaders’ assets, how those assets were required, and for what purposes they were used.

“Iran is ranked as one of the 40most corrupt countries in the world,” said Congressman Murphy, who voted against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2015. “This level of corruption makes it inevitable that the billions in sanctions relief provided by the Iran nuclear deal will find its way into the hands of Iran’s top officials who sponsor terrorism. It is crucial that the United States do everything in its power to ensure that Iran is held accountable for its continued illicit behavior.” 

In January, the Administration made a cash payment of $400 million to Iran, the timing of which coincided with the release of four Americans detained in Tehran. The Administration maintains this was not a ransom payment, calling it instead strategic "leverage." Further, while the Administration claimed cash payments were made because wired payments were impossible, a Treasury Department spokesman recently acknowledged that the U.S. wired money to the Iranian government in July 2015 and April 2016.

“It’s clear that the Administration has not been forthright with details regarding payments made to Iran,” continued Murphy. “The bills passed this week send a strong message to both Iran and the Administration that Congress will keep a close eye on their actions.”

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Murphy Press | Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18)
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